Energy storage assembly and energy storage element thereof

ABSTRACT

An energy storage element of an energy storage assembly includes a cylindrical body and a channel formed in an axial direction in an internal thereof; wherein the cylindrical body includes an energy storage material. With the energy storage element having a cylindrical body, the shape of the energy storage element is of the merit of low hydraulic resistance, which allows air flow to pass through the energy storage element(s) smoothly at great speed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a thermal storage element, in particular, to an energy storage assembly and an energy storage element thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

During summer time or weather of high temperatures, air conditioners or cooling fans are often used for drawing cooling air into a room, office or confined space internally and while during winter time or weather of low temperatures, heaters or hot-air fans capable of generating heated air are often used in raising the temperature of a room, office or confined space. Nevertheless, no matter whether the air-flow generating device is generating cold air or hot air, its activation and operation require large amount of power consumption, which also typically happens at peak times of high demands of power consumption.

Currently, there have been energy storage materials developed in the market, and such energy storage materials are able to pre-store energy at times of low demands of power consumption such that when the air-flow generating device is switched on during the peak times of high demands of power consumption, the air-flow generating device is able to utilize the energy storage materials in conjunction with the operation as a whole in order to either raise or lower the room temperature effectively; therefore, the power consumption at the peak times of high energy demands can be reduced and the effects of increasing the efficiency of the power consumption as well as reducing the costs of electricity can be advantageously achieved.

The energy storage materials can be configured corresponding to the air-flow generating device in order to allow the air flow generated by the air-flow generating device to be in contact with the energy storage device and to transfer the cold or heat energy from the energy storage material to the air flow such that once the air flow is further released to the environment of a room, the room temperature can be either raised or lowered effectively. Therefore, the question of how to create low hydraulic resistance for the energy storage material in order to allow the air to pass through the energy storage material smoothly is a crucial technical effect to be achieved by the energy storage material.

In view of the above, the inventor seeks to provide a technical solution in overcoming the aforementioned problem and achieving its objectives along with years of research and development as well as application of theoretical principles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to provide an energy storage assembly and an energy storage element thereof, in which the energy storage element is a cylindrical body with the merits of providing low hydraulic resistance due to the formation of its unique shape to allow the air flow to pass through the energy storage element more smoothly at great speed.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an energy storage element comprising:

a cylindrical body having a channel with a circular cross section formed in an axial direction in an internal thereof; wherein the cylindrical body comprises an energy storage material.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an energy storage assembly comprising:

a fixation member; and

at least one of the aforementioned energy storage element; wherein the at least one energy storage element is detachably attached to the fixation member.

The present invention further includes the following merits and technical effects:

(1) As the energy storage material has a large capacity for heat storage, the air flow passing through the cylindrical bodies can be kept at a lowered or raised temperature continuously while allowing the energy storage elements to pre-store energy at times of low power demands and to be reused again at times of high power demands in order to reduce the power consumption of the device during the peak time of high power demands, to reduce the efficiency of power consumption and to reduce the costs of electricity.

(2) Since each one of the energy storage element is a cylindrical body having a channel with a circular cross section formed therein, the shape of the energy storage element has the merits of low hydraulic resistance such that by reducing its hydraulic resistance, the air flow passing therethrough can be of greater quantity of low and higher wind speed.

(3) With the merits of low hydraulic resistance due to the shape of the cylindrical body, the air flow is allowed to smoothly pass through the energy storage elements while maintaining a certain area of contact therewith such that great heat transfer between the energy storage elements and the air flow can be achieved.

(4) When the cylindrical bodies lose their effects of cooling or heating over time, one needs to only replace the cylindrical bodies in the energy storage assembly such that the energy storage assembly with newly replaced cylindrical bodies is able to recover its cooling and heating capability in order to maintain great air conditioning of the air released to the environment.

(5) The cylindrical bodies can be arranged in various forms such as that they can be arranged to in a horizontal series front to rear or left to right and they can also be stacked in a vertical series top to bottom; their arrangements also allow the shape of the cylindrical bodies to have corresponding relationship with each other in order to create low hydraulic resistance; for example, the air flow channel formed by four cylindrical bodies aligned with each other can also have low hydraulic resistance to allow the air flow to smoothly pass these energy storage elements at great speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the energy storage element of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a first state of use of the first embodiment of the energy storage element of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a second state of use of the first embodiment of the energy storage element of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a state of use of a second embodiment of the energy storage element of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration showing a state of use of a third embodiment of the energy storage element of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing a state of use of a fourth embodiment of the energy storage element of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the energy storage assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the energy storage assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a state of use of the energy storage assembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the energy storage assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following provides detailed description of embodiments of the present invention along with the accompanied drawings. It can, however, be understood that the accompanied drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and shall not be treated as limitations to the present invention.

Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 10. As shown in the figures, the present invention provides an energy storage assembly and an energy storage element thereof; wherein the energy storage element 10 mainly comprises a cylindrical body 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, according to a first embodiment of the energy storage element 10 of the present invention, the cylindrical body 1 includes a channel 11′ formed in an axial direction in an internal thereof. The channel 11′ can be of different shapes in its cross section, such as a circular, triangular, rectangular or multi-angular shape of cross section; in a preferred embodiment, the channel 11′ is preferably a channel with a circular cross section 11. The cylindrical boy is filled with an energy storage material 11 in an internal thereof, and the cylindrical body is constructed by a plurality of curved blocks 12 arranged in a circumference and attached to each other. In addition, each one of the curved blocks 12 includes at least one protrusion 121 formed on one side thereof and at least one groove 122 formed on another side thereof; the at least one protrusion 121 of each one of the curved blocks 12 is inserted into the at least one groove 122 of each one of the curved blocks 12 correspondingly such that the plurality of curved blocks 12 are arranged in a circumference and attached to each other to form the cylindrical body 1.

Please refer to further details below. Each one of the curved blocks 12 comprises a curved housing 16, and the energy storage material 13 is filled into the internal of the curved housing 16; wherein the channel with circular cross section 11 is formed at the middle of the curved housing 16 along the axial direction, the protrusions 121 are formed on one side of the curved housing 16 and the grooves 122 are formed on another side of the curved housing 16.

Furthermore, for a multiple number of the cylindrical bodies, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of cylindrical bodies 1 can be aligned to stack onto one another vertically for uses; alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of cylindrical bodies can also be connected in series horizontally for uses.

The assembly of the energy storage elements 10 of the present invention mainly utilizes the channel 11′ formed in the axial direction in the internals of the cylindrical bodies. Therefore, since each one of the energy storage elements 10 is a cylindrical body 1 and the channel 11′ is preferably formed as the channel with circular cross section 11, the shape of each one of the energy storage element has the merits of low hydraulic resistance to allow the air flow to smoothly pass through the energy storage element(s) 10 at great speed.

As shown in FIG. 4, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the second present embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment with their difference relies in that: an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 1 of the second embodiment includes one pair or a plurality of pairs of through holes 14 formed thereon and arranged opposite to each other.

Please refer to further details below. A fixation member 30 is provided, and such fixation member 30 is a dangling element 31; the dangling element 31 is a dangling shaft 32 or a dangling cable; wherein the dangling element 31 penetrates through the through holes 14 such that the cylindrical body 1 can be mounted on the dangling element 31 with the through holes 14 in order to allow a plurality of cylindrical bodies 1 to be stacked to connect in a series on the dangling element 31 for further uses of the energy storage assembly. As a result, the functions and technical effects achieved by the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, according to a third embodiment of the energy storage element 10 of the present invention, the third embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment with their difference relies in that: an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 1 of the third embodiment includes one or a plurality of ring slot(s) 15 formed to circumference thereon.

Please refer to further details below. A fixation member 30 is provided, and such fixation member 30 is a dangling element 31; the dangling element 31 is a dangling cable 33; wherein the dangling cable 33 is bent into an U shape to be further disposed on the ring slot 15 and to engage with the ring slot 15 such that the cylindrical body 1 is positioned on the dangling cable 33 with the ring slot 15 in order to allow a plurality of cylindrical bodies 1 to be stacked to connect in a series on the dangling cable 33 for further uses of the energy storage assembly. As a result, the functions and technical effects achieved by the third embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, according to a fourth embodiment of the energy storage element 10 of the present invention, the fourth embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment with their difference relies in that: the cylindrical body 1 of the fourth embodiment comprises a cylindrical housing 17 and the energy storage material 13 is filled into the internal of the cylindrical housing 17.

In addition, similar to the second embodiment, an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 1 of the fourth embodiment can also include one pair or a plurality pairs of through holes (not shown in the figure) formed thereon and arrange opposite to each other. As a result, the functions and technical effects achieved by the fourth embodiment are similar to those of the second embodiment.

Furthermore, similar to the third embodiment, an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 1 of the fourth embodiment can also include one or a plurality of ring slot(s) (not shown in the figure) formed to circumference thereon. As a result, the functions and technical effects achieved by the fourth embodiment are similar to those of the third embodiment.

Please refer to further details below. Since the channel with circular cross section 11 is formed at the middle of the cylindrical housing 17 along the axial direction, its functions and technical effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the energy storage assembly 3 of the present invention is configured to be used in an air-flow generating device 200 and fitted inside the case 2. The air-flow generating device 200 is able to generate an air flow 201, and the energy storage assembly 3 comprises a fixation member 30 and a plurality of energy storage elements 10. Accordingly, the energy storage elements 10 can be embodied with structures similar to that of the fourth embodiment mentioned above or they can also be embodied with structures similar to that of other embodiments mentioned above.

The energy storage elements 10 can be detachably attached to the fixation member 10. Please refer to further details below. In this embodiment, the number of the fixation member 30 and the energy storage element 10 is plural such that the plurality of fixation members 30 are aligned parallel with each other and the plurality of energy storage elements 10 are arranged to connect in a series by the plurality of fixation members 30 in order to allow the plurality of energy storage elements 10 to stack onto one another and to align in parallel; wherein four of the energy storage elements 10 are connected adjacent to each other to form an air flow channel 40.

The case 2 includes an accommodating space 21, and the air-flow generating device 200 is arranged corresponding to the accommodating space 21 while the fixation member 30 is fixed firmly within the accommodating space 21 to allow the air flow 201 generated by the air-flow generating device 200 to pass through the energy storage elements 10; wherein the fixation member 30 can be a dangling element 31, and such dangling element 31 includes a hook 311 at a rear end thereof such that the dangling element 31 is able to use the hook 311 to hang onto the case 2. For the energy storage assembly 3 of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, its energy storage elements 10 are detachably attached to the fixation member 30. Therefore, since the energy storage elements 10 are cylindrical bodies 1 and the channels with circular cross sections are formed in the internals of the cylindrical bodies 1, the shapes of the energy storage elements 10 have the merit of low hydraulic resistance to lower their individual hydraulic resistance and to increase the quantity of the air flow as well as the wind speed such that the air flow 201 is able to pass through the energy storage elements 10 smoothly at great speed.

With respect to the state of use of the energy storage assembly 3 and the energy storage element 10 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, an air flow 201 is generated once the air-flow generating device 200 is switched on to allow the air flow 201 to flow into the accommodating space 21. First, the cylindrical bodies 1 are pre-cooled or pre-heated at a time of low demand of power consumption (such as at night time), followed by placing the cylindrical bodies 1 into the accommodating space 21. The cylindrical bodies 1 then continuously raise or lower the temperature of the air flow 201 such that the energy storage elements 10 can pre-store energy at a time of low demand of power consumption (such as at night time) to be further sued at a peak time of high demand of power consumption in order to reduce the power consumption at the peak time of high demand of power consumption and to increase the efficiency of power consumption as well as save costs of electricity.

In addition, since each one of the energy storage elements 10 is a cylindrical body 1 and the channel with circular cross section 11 is formed in the internal of the cylindrical body 1, the shape of the energy storage element 10 has the merit of low hydraulic resistance. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, when the number of the fixation member 30 and the energy storage element 10 is plural, the plurality of fixation members 30 can be aligned parallel with each other and the plurality of energy storage elements 30 can be connected in a series, in which the energy storage elements 10 can be either stacked onto on another vertically or aligned horizontally left to right as well as front to rear, their arrangements also allow the shape of the cylindrical bodies to have corresponding relationship with each other in order to create low hydraulic resistance. Also, four of the energy storage elements 10 can be arranged adjacent to each other to form an air flow channel 40, and such air flow channel 40 also have the characteristic of low hydraulic resistance to allow the air flow 201 to smoothly pass through the energy storage elements 10 in order to increase the efficiency of the energy storage assembly 3.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, in this embedment, the number of the fixation member 30 and the energy storage element 10 is singular. When only one energy storage element 10 is fixed firmly inside the accommodating space 21, since the energy storage element 10 is a cylindrical body 1 and a channel with circular cross section 1 is formed in the internal of the cylindrical body 1, the shape of such single energy storage element 10 can also have the merit of low hydraulic resistance. Accordingly, the energy storage element 10 can be embodied as the structure of the fourth embodiment mentioned above or it can also be embodied as the structure of the other embodiments mentioned above.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4 again, the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 1 includes a pair of through holes formed thereon and arranged opposite to each other; alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5 again, the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body includes a ring slot formed to circumference thereon to facilitate the adjustment of the number of cylindrical bodies 1 to be mounted on the dangling element 31 and to allow the number of the cylindrical bodies to be modified according to needs, which means that the energy storage assembly 3 can be modified to have either increased or reduced number of energy storage elements 10 thereon in order to enhance the usability and convenience of the energy storage assembly 3 and the energy storage elements 10.

Finally, the dangling element 31 includes a hook 311 at the rear end thereof and the hook 311 can be hung onto the case 2, which means that the dangling element 31 can be either assembled onto or detached from the case 2 rapidly with ease to facilitate the use of the energy storage assembly 3.

In view of the above, the energy storage assembly and the energy storage element of the present invention is not seen in any of the prior arts and is of industrial applicability, novelty and inventive step. In addition, present invention complies with the patentability requirement for the grant of patent right and is applied legitimately. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An energy storage element, comprising: a cylindrical body having a channel formed in an axial direction in an internal thereof; wherein the cylindrical body comprises an energy storage material.
 2. The energy storage element according to claim 1, wherein the channel has a circular cross section.
 3. The energy storage element according to claim 1, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body includes at least one ring slot formed to circumference thereon.
 4. The energy storage element according to claim 1, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body includes a pair of through holes formed thereon and arranged opposite to each other.
 5. The energy storage element according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body comprises a cylindrical housing provided for the energy storage material to be filled in an internal thereof.
 6. The energy storage element according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is constructed by a plurality of curved blocks arranged in a circumference and attached to each other.
 7. The energy storage element according to claim 6, wherein the channel has a circular cross section.
 8. The energy storage element according to claim 6, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body includes at least one ring slot formed to circumference thereon.
 9. The energy storage element according to claim 6, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body includes a pair of through holes formed thereon and arranged opposite to each other.
 10. The energy storage element according to claim 6, wherein each one of the curved blocks includes at least one protrusion formed on one side thereof and at least one groove formed on another side thereof; the at least one protrusion of each one of the curved blocks is inserted into the at least one groove of each one of the curved blocks correspondingly.
 11. The energy storage element according to claim 6, wherein each one of the curved blocks comprises a curved housing provided for the energy storage material to be filled in an internal thereof.
 12. An energy storage assembly, comprising: a fixation member; and at least one energy storage element comprising a cylindrical body having a channel formed in an axial direction in an internal thereof; wherein the cylindrical body comprises an energy storage material, and the at least one energy storage element is detachably attached to the fixation member.
 13. The energy storage assembly according to claim 12, wherein the channel has a circular cross section.
 14. The energy storage assembly according to claim 12, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body includes at least one ring slot formed to circumference thereon; the fixation member is a dangling cable, and the dangling cable is engaged with the ring slot correspondingly in order to position the cylindrical body on the dangling cable.
 15. The energy storage assembly according to claim 12, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body includes a pair of through holes formed thereon and arranged opposite to each other, and the fixation member is a dangling shaft or a dangling cable; the fixation member penetrates through the through holes correspondingly in order to mount the cylinder body onto the fixation member.
 16. The energy storage assembly according to claim 12, wherein the cylindrical body comprises a cylindrical housing provided for the energy storage material to be filled in an internal thereof.
 17. The energy storage assembly according to claim 12, wherein the cylindrical body is constructed by a plurality of curved blocks arranged in a circumference and attached to each other.
 18. The energy storage assembly according to claim 17, wherein each one of the curved blocks includes at least one protrusion formed on one side thereof and at least one groove formed on another side thereof; the at least one protrusion of each one of the curved blocks is inserted into the at least one groove of each one of the curved blocks correspondingly.
 19. The energy storage assembly according to claim 17, wherein each one of the curved blocks comprises a curved housing provided for the energy storage material to be filled in an internal thereof.
 20. The energy storage assembly according to claim 12, wherein there a plurality of fixation members and a plurality of energy storage elements such that the plurality of fixation members are aligned parallel with each other and the plurality of energy storage elements are arranged to connect in a series by the plurality of fixation members in order to allow the plurality of energy storage elements to stack onto one another and to align in parallel; wherein four of the energy storage elements are connected adjacent to each other to form an air flow channel. 